Newborn baby to be named after Liverpool’s match-winning defender

The emotional radio show caller said he was a season ticket holder for the Liverpool and only missed the Anfield clash due to the birth of his first child.

A Liverpool fan has vowed to BBC 5 Live to name his newborn child Dejan in honour of Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren.

The Reds pulled off the most unlikely of comebacks on Thursday night at Anfield, as they came from behind to seal a 4-3 victory over Borussia Dortmund to seal their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Croatian centre-back Lovren netted the winning goal in the first minute of second half stoppage time to secure progression in a pulsating back and forth contest on Merseyside, with Liverpool finally advancing 5-4 on aggregate.

The Bundesliga side - the former team of current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp - appeared to have killed off the tie when they went 3-1 ahead through Marcos Reus on 57 minutes. However, the hosts grew in strength as the game went on to achieve an unexpected turnaround.

The caller, named Michael, apparently phoned the fan forum from the hospital whilst at the bedside of his child’s mother and was audibly emotional with the day’s events.

He told BBC 5 Live: “This is the greatest day of my life. I am Liverpool football club. The reason I’ve not been there tonight (is because) I’ve been to hospital. I’ve had my first child tonight. This is the best day of my life.”

When probed by Liverpool great Mark Lawrenson what he had decided to name his child, Michael replied: “I’m calling it Dejan, I’ve already decided!”

Tom Beck

Tom Beck is a freelance football writer from London currently based in Melbourne via Buenos Aires. Previously a BBC Radio reporter, his work has been published in Goal, World Soccer, Bleacher Report and ESPN. Has a penchant for South American football.